The judge found him guilty of insulting the Prophet, the Prophet's wife and companions, mocking Islam, provoking sectarian tensions, insulting the rulers of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and misusing his mobile phone to spread the comments.

"The prison sentence is long, but we have the chance to appeal," Khaled al-Shatti said.

The sentence was the maximum that Naqi could have received, Shatti said, according to Reuters.

Shatti is quoted Monday in Gulf media reports as saying his client has a chance to appeal the sentence. Under Kuwaiti law, the defense can file an appeal within 20 days of the verdict; jail sentences have been reduced in the past for similar convictions.

Al-Naqi claims his Twitter account was hacked.

Plaintiff Dowaem al-Mowazry argued in court that al-Naqi must be made an example of, writing in a text message that "This verdict is a deterrent to those who insult the Prophet Muhammad, his companions and the mothers of the believers."